I have very vivid memories of my father, more than once, jumping in the car and driving me around to find the end of the rainbow when I was a little girl. I was always so excited when a rainbow came out because I thought it was finally my chance to find a pot of gold and maybe meet a leprechaun. Of course, no such luck. What I remember most, however, was not disappointment but rather how much fun I had in the car with my dad, singing songs and listening to ghost stories. Even though the ending wasn’t how I pictured, the journey was what mattered.
I’m often reminded of those memories and the undying optimism and enjoyment that is associated with childhood. How often do we lose that childlike wonderment and enthusiasm for life as we enter adulthood?
Starting at four-years-old, I wanted to be a million different jobs depending on the day or week or month. If I had pursued all of my passions, I would have been a zookeeper, veterinarian, actress, psychologist, police officer, screenwriter, Army soldier, doctor (which makes no sense because I HATE sterile white walls, veins, and touching other people’s bodies) and the list literally goes on and on. I haven’t been that many things but I have had my fair share of jobs since I began babysitting at 13. Since then I have been a pet sitter, waitress, personal trainer, house cleaner, saleswoman, marketer, and most recently an elementary school teacher.
It can be hard to figure out exactly what we want to be in life or exactly what we want to achieve. But what I have realized is that life truly is a journey, an adventure for realizing our true, authentic selves and what we want from our time on Earth. While we may not always have complete control over what happens to us, we have total control over our attitudes and positivity.
Too often, people get stuck in a rut, pursuing a goal or a life that they don’t truly want for themselves. With pressure from loved ones and society, it’s all too easy to follow a path that’s not aligned with what’s in our souls. I personally believe that our lives are like the breezy wind or a winding river, constantly changing based on our experiences. We become unhappy, complacent, or imprisoned if we don’t really follow our hearts and listen to the music in our souls. How often do we chase the end of the rainbow, just to feel like we wasted our time? We would surely feel better if we enjoyed the adventure and weren’t afraid to change course.
Throughout this blog, we will be exploring and reflecting on our continuous journeys. I hope to challenge and encourage you to try new things, make new goals, and take some serious time to figure out what you can do to make your life more fulfilling. In each of my posts, I will offer you a challenge that I believe will improve your life, boost your positivity, and free your soul.
Remember, life is an adventure, not a destination. We should cherish the good times, appreciate the bumps in the road, help others along the way, and go wherever our hearts take us.
Until next time, happy living!
=) Mary
Satisfy the Soul 